Comparing Jackson 6.2 and 5.26 Solutions

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ber70
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Jackson
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion compares solutions from Jackson's 2nd edition (6.2) and 3rd edition (5.26) of "Classical Electrodynamics." The 2nd edition presents the solution using the formula c² (c*c), while the 3rd edition uses the formula nü/4π (=c). The 2nd edition is entirely in Gaussian units, whereas the 3rd edition employs SI units in earlier chapters and Gaussian units later. It is confirmed that both formulas yield equivalent results when unit differences are accounted for, and there is no error in the problem as stated.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gaussian and SI units in physics
  • Familiarity with classical electrodynamics concepts
  • Knowledge of mathematical manipulation of physical formulas
  • Access to Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics" editions
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the errata for Jackson's 3rd edition at the provided link
  • Analyze the differences in problem-solving approaches between Gaussian and SI units
  • Explore the implications of unit systems in classical physics
  • Study the derivation of key formulas in electrodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching electrodynamics, and researchers comparing unit systems in classical physics will benefit from this discussion.

ber70
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
Jackson 2nd editon 6.2 and 3rd edition 5.26 are same questions but given solutions in problems are different. 2nd edition includes c2 (c*c), 3rd edition includes nü/4pi(=c). Which is true and why?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Jackson 2nd edition is written entirely using Gaussian units. Jackson 3rd edition is written using SI units for the earlier chapters, and Gaussian for the later (as indicated in the upper margin of the page).

Check if the formulas come out the same after accounting for the difference in units. If they're still off by a factor of c, then check the errata, maybe?
 

Similar threads

Graduate Puzzled about Section 3.12 of Jackson's E&M book
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Jackson 5.6 Problem: Find Which is True & Why?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Supplement to Jackson (also, 2nd vs 3rd Ed.)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
Graduate Electric and magnetic field lines in a plane wave of finite extent
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Understanding Green's second identity and the reciprocity theorem
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Graduate Why are General relativity texts so much more formal?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
Comp Sci Genetic algorithm knapsack problem
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Going through Jackson's Electrodynamics as an undergad who "hates" E/M
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Graduate Stumped by a Lagrangian in Einstein's 1916 paper
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
494
Graduate Euler sum of positive integers = -1/12
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K